Offense: The offense is the team in possession of the basketball.*An offensive rebound occurs when the shooting team rebounds its own shot.*A defensive rebound occurs when the team playing defense rebounds the opposing team’s shot.*A pivot is used when a player has the ball and moves one foot while the other foot stays stationary. *Against a man to man defense, a moving offense that involves screens and cuts can be a good strategy to attempt to score.*Against a zone defense, quick passes, ball movement and spreading all offensive players out can be a good strategy to attempt to score.

Defense: The defense is the team not in possession of the ball.*Defenders should position themselves between the offensive players and basket.*Defensive strategies could include either a man to man defense or a zone defense.*A zone defense could be used to prevent less penetration to the lane, allows for fewer lay-ups and can be used to trap opponents.

Player Positions

Point Guard: This player is typically the best dribbler on the team. He/She dribbles the ball down the court and helps the offensive team get into their offense by passing the ball to an open teammate or driving to the basket.

Shooting Guard: This player is typically has good dribbling and shooting ability. The shooting guard often runs off screens looking for open shots.

Small Forward: This player is typically a strong rebounder who also has scoring and dribbling ability. The small forward can play an outside position on offense or closer to the basket.

Power Forward: This player is typically a strong rebounder, defender and can score around the basket.

Center: This player is typically a team’s tallest player, is a great rebounder and plays near the basket on offense. He/She often defends an opposing team’s tallest player.

Fundamental SkillsPassing:*A chest pass is a pass thrown to another player’s chest and the ball does not contact the floor.*A bounce pass is a pass thrown to another player and should contact the floor closer to the receiver than the passer.Dribbling:*A good dribbling technique is to dribble with the hand furthest from the defender.*The dribbler’s guard hard is the hand you protect the ball with.*When dribbling, keep the ball below your waist, keep your eyes up, and contact the ball with your finger pads with fingers spread.Pivot:*Takes place when a player who is holding the ball steps once or more than once in any direction with the same foot; the other foot, called the pivot foot, being kept at its point of contact with the floorLay-Up:*A high percentage shot taken close to the basket with the offensive player shooting off of one foot, leaping toward the basket and using one hand to shoot.-A right handed lay-up should be shot with the right hand, jumping off of the left foot (inside foot) with the right knee raised toward the basket.-A left handed lay-up should be shot with the left hand, jumping off the right foot (inside foot) with the left knee raised toward the basket.*A lay-up shot from the right or left side of the basket should contact the backboard.Shooting:*When shooting, a player’s guide hand is on the side of the ball with the fingers slightly spread apart. *When shooting, a player should have his/her fingers spread on the ball and after release, the shooting hand should follow-through with the wrist flicking in a downward motion to help guide the ball into the hoop.Rebound:*Occurs when a player retrieves the ball following a missed shot.Boxing Out:*When an offensive or defensive player positions themselves between an opposing player and the basket, turns their back to the player and keeps that player from going toward a rebound off a missed shot. This allows the player boxing out to either get the rebound or help a teammate get the rebound.

Violations*A violation is called by the official when any of the below situations occur. A violation will result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team.

Traveling- taking more than one step with the ball without dribbling, or taking more than 2 steps with the ball when attempting a lay-up

Kicking-contacting the ball with the foot or lower leg.

Out of Bounds-stepping out of bounds with the ball, hitting it out of bounds, or being the last player to touch the ball before it leaves the court.

Double Dribble- dribbling at the same time with two hands, or dribbling the ball with one hand, catching it, and dribbling again.

3 Seconds-when an offensive player stands within the lane for 3 or more seconds

5 Seconds-not passing or dribbling the ball within 5 seconds of receiving it, or failing to inbound the ball

10 Seconds-not advancing the ball past half court within 10 seconds of a change of possession.

Back Court-when an offensive player in possession of the ball steps back behind the half court line, or passes the ball to a teammate behind the half court line after the offensive team has already advanced the ball past half court.

Fouls*A foul is a more serious infraction than a violation and occur as a result of illegal personal contact with a player on the opposing team and/or unsportsmanlike behavior.

*A foul that occurs when a player is in the act of shooting will result in the offensive player being awarded 2 free-throws, or 3 free-throws if the foul occurred while the player was shooting a 3 point shot.

Examples of fouls could be:

Charge-occurs when the offensive player gains an advantage over a defender by pushing or moving the defender out of position.

Blocking-occurs when a defender impedes the progress of the offensive player by moving from a stationary position.

Hold-occurs when a player holds onto an opposing player’s body or jersey preventing the opposing player from moving forward freely.

Reach-occurs when a player attempts to steal the ball from a dribbler, but contacts the dribbler on the arm or body.

Pushing-occurs when a player uses one or two hands to gain an advantage of space over an opponent.